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Root Cant decide whether to root or update??

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Been looking at both the above options, im starting to sway to rooting, however I've looked at SURoot's guide to get the basics for rooting and my software info shows the following:
Build number 2.12.110.4 CL274424 release-keys
Software number 2.12.110.4
So I assume not Arab Build
HBoot 0.93 PVT1
Erase size 20000

If I do decide to root, I'm afraid I will ask lots of questions all the way, but ill keep them all in here as a step by step guide

Thanks in advance
 
Is it a T-Mobile UK handset by any chance?

Anyway, I don't think that handset needs any special measures when rooting. Read the guides, and if you have any questions there'll be someone here who can help.
 
yup, T-Mobile UK
That's good to know, suppose I best make a gold card soon :)
Think I'm going to leave Sense and go for a Vanilla ROM as I've been using ADW Launcher lately
 
deffo Root! so many Rom options... So easy to back up, swap Roms, restore. Ensure you read up and ask questions along the way...
 
Yup, definitely root. Fixes the low internal memory option and lets you try different Roms, MIUI, ASOP, Sense. I rooted mine within a week a of having it and haven't regretted it once.
 
I'm on T mobile UK and rooted using the guides and FAQ's here. I spent a fair while reading up and then asked lots of questions here. All were a answered quickly and helpfully. I'm now on Redux 1.2 and glad I went ahead and rooted. There's so much more scope in doing that than leaving it stock and relying on official updates. So I say root it and you'll never look back ;-)
 
Well even if decide you want the official 2.3, that's also available as a rooted ROM.

The difference is that if you apply the update RUU, at the moment you are stuck with it (though that will doubtless change sooner or later). While if you root it opens up more options, but doesn't close off any.
 
I'm seeing it as a "do it now, rather than wait" especially when the majority have rooted on 2.2 and I'd be more of a tester for 2.3 rooting i guess

How do I actually use the Gold Card if necessary??
I also assume, I don't need to keep the Gold Card separate, it can be the same as I use in my phone at all times and keep all my apps on??
 
The only purpose of the goldcard is to allow you to run a non-Tmobile RUU if you need to. It's essential for people wishing to unbrand without rooting, and provides more options if you need to run an RUU to fix a screw-up. It's basically a precaution, but better to have it and not need it than the other way round.

How you use it is simply to have it in your phone when running an RUU. It can indeed be used as an everyday card.

In fact the 2.3 update RUU doesn't need a goldcard - but of course right now you can't re-root that one.
 
2 more questions for now
I'll use Unrevoked 3.21 as my build number is 2.12.110.4 and I don't need to use Amon RA 2.0.1 as my erase size is 20000??
just need to make sure I'm happy and ready to format my current SD card then. I'll remove pics, videos and stuff tomorrow to my laptop and go from there.
Thanks for the help so far
 
Yes, unrevoked 3.21, and no need for special recovery.

Make sure you copy everything off your SD card, including hidden files and directories (things with names starting with "." - if you've ever moved anything to SD there will be a ".android_secure", so check you can see that and have copied it).

I should confess that I've never made a goldcard myself - as my phone was unbranded from the start I decided to take the chance - so don't have experience with that bit.
 
I did the Force Apps 2 SD trick, so I've moved pretty much everything, oh well, suppose it'll give me something to do :)
 
Backing up .android_secure shouldn't be a biggie - just a matter of making sure that folder is copied.

But the force to SD thing (overriding the pm_location) may cause problems with rooting. If so, both problem and solution are in the rooting guide.
 
Ill see how to change the force apps to SD and go from there.
Im assuming I can just copy and paste all of my SD card stuff into a folder on my desktop??
 
Yes, as far as the pc is concerned the phone is just like a usb stick, so copy as normal. Make sure you have the option to show all files/hidden files/system files (whatever it's called in your computer's OS) turned on, to be sure you don't miss anything.
 
You're all gonna say "why!?!?"
I've decided I'm going to stick with the official update.
Simply because I feel more confident using it, plus I'm still on my contract for another year, maybe closer to that time I'll look into it again.
Thanks for your help though :)
 
That's what a an RUU is for.
Takes the phone back to complete stock for if you need to take it back.
I have a while left on my contract but in rooted with a gold card.


Edit- Changed Good to Gold. Auto Correct, gotta love it.
 
so is the gold card my RUU??
I wont need to download anything else??
 
I have 18mth left on my contract too. rooted after about 2 weeks of owning it...
Been on GB for 6weeks or so, battery life and day to day use of the phone is far better than on Stock orange ROM.
 
rowlers said:
I have 18mth left on my contract too. rooted after about 2 weeks of owning it...
Been on GB for 6weeks or so, battery life and day to day use of the phone is far better than on Stock orange ROM.
Click to expand...

Hell yeah, i was on stock orange garbage. (shivers down spine).
 
i cant seem to run the gold card utility as administrator. I right click on it and the option isnt there??
 
how do i enable USB mass storage?

ignore that, all done, I now have a Gold Card
 
OK, done the prerequisite steps
Once I've run unrevoked, do I have to choose a ROM to use straight away??
 
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